STUVIA 2024/2025
Chapter 25: Analgesics
The nurse is evaluating a patient 2 hours after giving a dose of 30 mg of codeine with acetaminophen
for postoperative pain following abdominal surgery. The patient reports a pain level of 7 on a scale of
1 to 10. The patient is not satisfied with their current level of pain relief. The nurse notes a heart rate
of 110 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of 180/90
mm Hg. Which action will the nurse take?
a. Administer the next dose of codeine 1 hour early.
b. Ask the provider if the codeine dose can be increased.
c. Contact the provider to ask if a dose of ibuprofen may be given now.
d. Request an order for oxycodone with acetaminophen (Percocet). - ✔✔ANS: D
The patient is showing signs of moderate to severe pain unrelieved by codeine, so the nurse should
request a more potent opioid analgesic such as oxycodone. Codeine is effective for mild to moderate
pain so will not be effective for this patient even if the dose is increased. The medication should not
be given more frequently than every 4 hours. Ibuprofen is used for musculoskeletal pain and not
postoperative pain.
The nurse is teaching a female patient who will begin taking 2 tablets of 325 mg acetaminophen
every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the
%
teaching?
a. "I may take acetaminophen up to 6 times daily if needed."
b. "I should increase the dose of acetaminophen if I drink caffeinated coffee."
c. "If I take oral contraceptive pills, I should use back-up contraception."
d. "It is safe to take acetaminophen with any over-the-counter medications." - ✔✔ANS: A
The maximum daily dose of acetaminophen is 4000 mg. If this patient takes 650 mg/dose 6 times
daily, this amount is safe. Taking acetaminophen with caffeine increases the effect of the
acetaminophen. Taking acetaminophen with OCPs decreases the effect of the acetaminophen but
does not diminish the effect of the OCP. Many over-the-counter medications contain acetaminophen,
so patients should be advised to read labels carefully to avoid overdose.
The parent of a 5-year-old child asks the nurse to recommend an over-the-counter pain medication
for the child. Which analgesic will the nurse recommend?
a. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
b. Aspirin (Ecotrin)
c. Diflunisal (Dolobid)
d. Celecoxib (Celebrex) - ✔✔ANS: A
stuvia
, STUVIA 2024/2025
Acetaminophen is a commonly used analgesic in children. Aspirin carries an increased risk of Reye's
syndrome in children. Diflunisal (Dolobid) and celecoxib (Celebrex) are not available over the counter.
The nurse is performing an admission assessment on an adolescent who reports taking
extra-strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) regularly to treat daily headaches. The nurse will notify the
patient's provider and discuss an order for which of the following?
a. a selective serotonin receptor agonist (SSRA).
b. hydrocodone with acetaminophen for headache pain.
c. liver enzyme testing.
d. serum glucose testing. - ✔✔ANS: C
Large doses or overdoses of acetaminophen can be toxic to hepatic cells, so when large doses are
administered over a long period, liver function should be assessed. Daily headaches are not typical of
migraine headaches, so SSRA medication is likely not indicated. Hydrocodone with acetaminophen is
not indicated without further evaluation of headaches. Serum glucose is not indicated.
The nurse is providing teaching to a patient who will begin taking aspirin to treat arthritis pain. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "I should increase fiber and fluids while taking aspirin."
b. "I will call my provider if I experience significant abdominal pain."
%
c. "I will drink a full glass of water with each dose."
d. "I will notify my provider of ringing in my ears." - ✔✔ANS: A
Aspirin is not constipating, so patients do not need to be counseled to consume extra fluids and fiber.
Abdominal pain can occur with gastrointestinal bleeding, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can be an
early sign of toxicity, so patients should be taught to contact their provider if these occur. Taking a full
glass of water with each dose helps minimize gastrointestinal side effects.
An adolescent female has dysmenorrhea associated with heavy menstrual periods. The patient's
provider has recommended ibuprofen (Motrin). When teaching this patient about this drug, the nurse
will tell her that ibuprofen:
a. may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills.
b. may increase bleeding during her period.
c. should be taken on an empty stomach to increase absorption.
d. will decrease the duration of her periods. - ✔✔ANS: B
When nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat dysmenorrhea, excess
bleeding may occur during the first 2 days of a period. NSAIDs do not decrease the effect of OCPs.
NSAIDs are irritating to the stomach, so patients should take it with food or a full glass of water.
NSAIDs will not decrease the duration of periods.
stuvia
Chapter 25: Analgesics
The nurse is evaluating a patient 2 hours after giving a dose of 30 mg of codeine with acetaminophen
for postoperative pain following abdominal surgery. The patient reports a pain level of 7 on a scale of
1 to 10. The patient is not satisfied with their current level of pain relief. The nurse notes a heart rate
of 110 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of 180/90
mm Hg. Which action will the nurse take?
a. Administer the next dose of codeine 1 hour early.
b. Ask the provider if the codeine dose can be increased.
c. Contact the provider to ask if a dose of ibuprofen may be given now.
d. Request an order for oxycodone with acetaminophen (Percocet). - ✔✔ANS: D
The patient is showing signs of moderate to severe pain unrelieved by codeine, so the nurse should
request a more potent opioid analgesic such as oxycodone. Codeine is effective for mild to moderate
pain so will not be effective for this patient even if the dose is increased. The medication should not
be given more frequently than every 4 hours. Ibuprofen is used for musculoskeletal pain and not
postoperative pain.
The nurse is teaching a female patient who will begin taking 2 tablets of 325 mg acetaminophen
every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the
%
teaching?
a. "I may take acetaminophen up to 6 times daily if needed."
b. "I should increase the dose of acetaminophen if I drink caffeinated coffee."
c. "If I take oral contraceptive pills, I should use back-up contraception."
d. "It is safe to take acetaminophen with any over-the-counter medications." - ✔✔ANS: A
The maximum daily dose of acetaminophen is 4000 mg. If this patient takes 650 mg/dose 6 times
daily, this amount is safe. Taking acetaminophen with caffeine increases the effect of the
acetaminophen. Taking acetaminophen with OCPs decreases the effect of the acetaminophen but
does not diminish the effect of the OCP. Many over-the-counter medications contain acetaminophen,
so patients should be advised to read labels carefully to avoid overdose.
The parent of a 5-year-old child asks the nurse to recommend an over-the-counter pain medication
for the child. Which analgesic will the nurse recommend?
a. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
b. Aspirin (Ecotrin)
c. Diflunisal (Dolobid)
d. Celecoxib (Celebrex) - ✔✔ANS: A
stuvia
, STUVIA 2024/2025
Acetaminophen is a commonly used analgesic in children. Aspirin carries an increased risk of Reye's
syndrome in children. Diflunisal (Dolobid) and celecoxib (Celebrex) are not available over the counter.
The nurse is performing an admission assessment on an adolescent who reports taking
extra-strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) regularly to treat daily headaches. The nurse will notify the
patient's provider and discuss an order for which of the following?
a. a selective serotonin receptor agonist (SSRA).
b. hydrocodone with acetaminophen for headache pain.
c. liver enzyme testing.
d. serum glucose testing. - ✔✔ANS: C
Large doses or overdoses of acetaminophen can be toxic to hepatic cells, so when large doses are
administered over a long period, liver function should be assessed. Daily headaches are not typical of
migraine headaches, so SSRA medication is likely not indicated. Hydrocodone with acetaminophen is
not indicated without further evaluation of headaches. Serum glucose is not indicated.
The nurse is providing teaching to a patient who will begin taking aspirin to treat arthritis pain. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "I should increase fiber and fluids while taking aspirin."
b. "I will call my provider if I experience significant abdominal pain."
%
c. "I will drink a full glass of water with each dose."
d. "I will notify my provider of ringing in my ears." - ✔✔ANS: A
Aspirin is not constipating, so patients do not need to be counseled to consume extra fluids and fiber.
Abdominal pain can occur with gastrointestinal bleeding, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can be an
early sign of toxicity, so patients should be taught to contact their provider if these occur. Taking a full
glass of water with each dose helps minimize gastrointestinal side effects.
An adolescent female has dysmenorrhea associated with heavy menstrual periods. The patient's
provider has recommended ibuprofen (Motrin). When teaching this patient about this drug, the nurse
will tell her that ibuprofen:
a. may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills.
b. may increase bleeding during her period.
c. should be taken on an empty stomach to increase absorption.
d. will decrease the duration of her periods. - ✔✔ANS: B
When nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat dysmenorrhea, excess
bleeding may occur during the first 2 days of a period. NSAIDs do not decrease the effect of OCPs.
NSAIDs are irritating to the stomach, so patients should take it with food or a full glass of water.
NSAIDs will not decrease the duration of periods.
stuvia
